STEVENS POINT — While primarily focused on providing training and information on issues such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, Lori Schuler and Kelly Opiola say they reach people in a variety of ways through their business, Gemstone Senior Advisors/Trainers, which opened in May.

In the senior care industry, Schuler has experience with staff training, marketing and activities, while Opiola has experience in areas including human resources, accounting and business management. In addition to general consulting services, Gemstone offers monthly programs focused on senior-related topics such as medication administration and first aid. State-approved training programs for staff members of care facilities also are available through the business.

Outside of senior care, Schuler and Opiola also offer general business consulting, fitness classes and motivational speaking services.

Question: What does your business do, and why is it special?

Answer (Schuler): We help the people who care for people with dementia and Alzheimer’s. That can be helping staff members at care facilities with their training or providing information to people who may be caring for family members at home.

Q: Why have you chosen central Wisconsin as a place to do business?

A (Schuler): We each have 11 years of experience working in the senior long-term care industry here in central Wisconsin. We’ve gotten to know many people in this community, and we see that there is a need for these kinds of services here.

Q: What is your long-term vision for the company?

A (Opiola): To reach as many people as we can. We want to be able to help people who need help dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia, or who want to live a healthier life, and reach out to businesses to help them be as successful as they can be.

Q: How do you deal with a family that is dealing with Alzheimer’s or dementia?

A (Schuler): People in these situations come from all different walks of life, but they are also facing a similar and very difficult situation. There are a lot of decisions that have to be made.

Q: Why do you focus in so many different areas of service?

A (Schuler): We have picked up experience in those areas throughout the years, and it gives the opportunity to reach people in a variety of ways. It allows to be doing something different every day when we come into work, and we’re very much enjoying that.